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Our industry-leading debt research

Examining how problem debt develops in the UK, analysing trends, and shaping evidence-based policy proposals.

We have helped over

7.5 million

people since 1993

 

Taking a closer look at the causes and consequences of problem debt, our research and reports make the evidence-based case for changing regulation, law and practice, to reduce the risk and harm of it.

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Our latest research and reports

Looking through the keyhole: StepChange debt advice clients’ experiences of the council tax debt collection journey

October 2024 - StepChange’s new policy report offers a deep dive into clients’ experience of the council tax debt collection journey, exploring affordability challenges, interactions with local authorities and enforcement agents. It makes a number of recommendations to central and local Government, geared towards improving outcomes for those struggling with council tax bills.

Read the report

How consumer credit causes harm for people struggling with the cost of living

May 2024 - StepChange's new infographic explores why consumer credit can lead to poor outcomes for people struggling with living costs and what government, regulators and industry can do to help.

Read the report

 In work. But still in debt: Charting the rise of clients in full time work

April 2024

Many people across the UK in full-time employment still face problem debt and their employment hasn’t been able to shield them from this. The report highlights the potential inadequacy of existing safety nets, the prevalence of in-work debt problems, and gender-specific experiences. YouGov polling commissioned by StepChange reveals that in the UK, among those that are experiencing problem debt (9% and around 2.8 million people), around 52% are in full-time employment.

 Getting the Message: How testing and understanding client communications can help engage customers and improve customer outcomes

December 2023

Our Getting the Message report highlights the importance of digging deeper into what clients are experiencing so that we can look to improve outcomes for those clients.

Read all our research

Personal debt statistics

Statistics Yearbook 2023

March 2024 - Our report provides insight into the demographic and debt situations of clients, who fully completed their very first debt advice session, between January and December 2023.

Read the report

 Coping with cost of living pressures

April 2024
Since September 2022, StepChange has commissioned YouGov to conduct research to better understand how the increased cost of living is affecting the wider UK population.

 Stats Yearbook 2023

March 2024
Our report provides insight into the demographic and debt situations of clients, who fully completed their very first debt advice session, between January and December 2023.

See more personal debt statistics

Monthly client data reports

Our series of regular reports provide insight into the demographic and debt information of clients who got debt advice in the previous month.

Read the reports

Thought leadership

 

Our blog highlights the trends our team sees, and uses in-depth data, research and insights to suggest ways to improve the lives of society's financially vulnerable.

Visit the Medium blog for more

Media centre

 

Our press office can comment, arrange briefings or interviews with experts, and help facilitate case study requests with clients who are willing to share their experience in the media.

Visit the Media Centre

Policy and campaigns

Using data and research to campaign for evidence-backed financial reform across the UK, working with parliaments, briefing ministers, and responding to consultations.

Find out more about our policy and campaigning work

Contact our Policy Team: